The Supreme Court of India on Tuesday said that implementing a Uniform Civil Code could help address long-standing issues affecting the rights of Indian women. At the same time, the court warned that striking down personal laws entirely could create a legal vacuum.
The observation came during the hearing of a plea challenging inheritance provisions affecting Muslim women under the Muslim Personal Law (Shariat) Application Act, 1937. The petitioner argued that the existing law results in unequal succession rights for women.
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A bench comprising Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi noted that gender-related issues are present in several personal law systems. The court said reviewing one law could open the door to examining other personal law frameworks as well.
The bench asked the petitioner to expand the plea and propose possible solutions if personal laws are set aside. The matter has been posted for further hearing.
